The Third Eye!!!!!!
Espionage (Clandestine HUMINT) will soon be redundant as technology continues its perennial penetration into private domains.....
As if we didn't have enough, a local (now Qatari) mobile service provider is pulling a coup of sorts.
Not just on its ' Amsterdam/Bahrain/Kuwait' based competitor but on the unassuming families and contacts of its subscribers as well. The grape-vine says that the second operator will soon introduce a similar service in Kuwait as well.
Imagine this!
You are a subscriber and a proud owner of a handset that supports video-calling- a 3G handset. Walk into any of their Office / kiosk in town and ask for this service.
For about 100 KD (inclusive of hardware, activation and one year rentals), you can walk home with a new gizmo that looks like a miniature helmet. This has its own SIM card (which means it has its own identification number), but the contraption cannot talk...it believes in the maxim 'seeing is believing', hearing is a devastating add on. This is the latest version of the WEBCAM.
How it works.....
Once you have activated this new toy, you could place it anywhere you want....I mean anywhere!
It is small, It sees and it can relay what it sees....and who controls it? The caller of course. That means anyone and everyone (of course has a 3G Handset).
This is probably the most destructive tool a pervert needs or for that matter a scheming doubter (no gender bias).
Call the number and gzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...the little monster springs to life..Sitting in the comfort of your office, car or even overseas you can call ur third eye and get to see whats happening around it..Did I say around? Yes you got me right, the caller can not only activate the camera, but can also control the camera's rotation....
The caller can be anyone, you, me, the rest of the world. The instrument is activated without a noise, maybe without a hum too.....the silent sentinel.
Now, the company has pitched a 'security device' sales story, for the safety of your kids and family....Boy! That's so endearing and thoughtful of the company.
Having eaten the share of my telecom pie working for an overseas telecom giant, I have a fair idea of how this little tool can drive revenues for the company. I am not against technology/gadgets but I would surely advocate the safe and wise usage of any such device.
- Imagine if this lil 'peeping tom' was strategically placed in a highly private part of the house/ or some public place.....and getting caught in the act
- Imagine getting bugged by your boss...and get caught napping
- Imagine someone trying to fix you in a trap...and get framed
- Imagine getting bugged by your doubting spouses or partners....to be caught red-handed
- Imagine exposing yourself in the privacy of your apartment.... only to be seen by this contraption while some one else drools.
- And then imagine a wrong call....and imagine the wrong caller happens to be a psycho.....
Video files dont need major conversion tools to be relayed as MMS....the effect could be deadlier than death. Now for some Telecom jargon.
Revenue Assurance Mechanism for the company:
- Hardware Sales
- Activation charges
- Annual Rental
- Video Calling (@ 3 -5 times a voice call charge, higher in case of Roaming)
- Sure shot increase of caller-traffic thereby progressive revenue earning.
- Definite increase of MMS traffic
- Multiple sales of Hardware from a single subscriber
- Probable royalties from 3G Handset brands
Smart Questions :
- How will you ensure privacy of the subject?- Impossible, unless you define a closed user group for the camera. Possible in the case of Corporate accounts.
- How will you restrict the number of users/viewers- Answers same as above.
Would I advocate using this product?
- Yes, if you are using it for official purposes .
- A definite No no for private users....I dont need a darmed M-cam to watch over my kids.
Some one from the industry rightly observed- a perfect catalyst to an ever increasing divorce rate. Lawyers rejoice the arrival of your partner!
But there is no immediate cause for concern as
- Local and international agreements on video calling for the operator are still pending
- For now one can only access video-calling from designated 'video-calling' areas only.
The danger is in the making....
Watch this space for more 'gyaan' (knowledge) on Telecom......
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